Ministry Focus
During college Ryan explored many areas of ministry including music, youth and creative programming, but nothing fit him as well as working on the college campus. He was appointed by Missions Door in June of 2001 to work at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, and he served there through 2004. While there, he helped lead the ministry through a transition from a small inwardly-focused ministry to a growing evangelistic ministry that had a significant impact on the campus community. In September of 2004 Ryan moved to Tucson, Arizona, to launch a campus church called Damascus Road. A team of twelve friends who attended college together all moved to Tucson to start the church where it continues to minister to the University of Arizona campus community.
Today Ryan and his wife Megan, who met through the ministry, serve as Co-Pastors of Damascus Road. Ryan also serves as the Director of Campus Ministry for Missions Door. He provides leadership, vision, training, and care for the over 20 campuses Missions Door ministers on in the United States and Mexico. His passion is helping ministers and ministries flourish, and developing dynamic communities of faith on college campuses.
Faith Story
Ryan grew up in a wonderful Christian home. He was taught the Bible and heard the message of Jesus early in his life but his faith became his own in college. During his freshman year at Truman State University, Ryan saw the movie Patch Adams. The main character was a doctor who not only cared for people’s illnesses but extended love and grace to the whole person. In this film Ryan saw Jesus’ words in Luke 5:31 come alive: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call sinners to turn from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough.” At this moment Ryan felt God calling him to love people in the same way.
Megan has lived in the desert her whole life but moved to Tucson, Arizona for college. There, she blossomed in faith and leadership, serving in church and discovering more of who God made her to be. When asked at a job interview for a speech therapist position what she enjoyed doing, Megan responded, "caring for people's souls," and feels called to serve and care for others spiritually. Megan left her speech therapist position to pursue ministry with a special emphasis on mentoring, discipleship and small groups at Damascus Road.
Family
Ryan and Megan married in March of 2013 and they have four children: Roland, Aidan, Catherine, and Jude. They enjoy the gift of raising their children and how God continues to grow them through loving these tiny strangers.
Education
Ryan has a B.A. in English from Truman State University (Kirksville, MO) and an M.Div in Leadership Development from Phoenix Seminary (Phoenix, AZ).
Megan has a B.A. Linguistics and a B.S. In Speech and Hearing Sciences, as well as a M.S. in Speech Language Pathology, all from the University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Ryan and Megan by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast
Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.
The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.
The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.
Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.
Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.
Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.
Cultural Snapshot
Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.
Faith Fact
In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.
Country Profile
Population: 320 million
Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other
Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others
Literacy: 99%
Poverty: 16%
Ministry service area:
Campus Ambassadors
Ministry location:
Arizona, United States